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Did you know that... Quick facts about Jamaica

POPULATION:
Estimated at 2,641,600 (2003), Jamaica’s population is a multi-racial mix, including African, European, East Indian, Chinese and Middle-Eastern.

CLIMATE:
Jamaica’s average annual temperature is 82°F (28°C).  A tropical climate prevails inland, but temperatures can drop to the 50s (10°C) on the highest mountains.  Northeast trade winds and mountain breezes keep the temperature pleasant along the coast.  The average annual rainfall is 78 inches (198 centimeters).

GEOGRAPHY:
Jamaica is the third-largest English-speaking Caribbean island at 4,244 square miles (10,991 square kilometers); the island is 146 miles (235 kilometers) long, with widths varying between 22 miles (35 kilometers) and 51 miles (82 kilometers). Almost one half of this mountainous island is over 1,000 feet (305 meters) above sea level. Blue Mountain Peak is the highest point at 7,402 feet (2,256 meters). Mountain ranges are rich in limestone, marble, alabaster, shale and sandstone. Jamaica has a lush terrain and a dramatic coastline, with valleys, cliffs, caves, bays, coves, reefs, mineral springs, waterfalls and some 120 natural rivers.

NATURAL RESOURCES:
Bauxite, gypsum and limestone.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS:
Sugarcane, bananas, coffee, cocoa, citrus fruits, pimento, vegetables, poultry, milk.

EXPORT COMMODITIES:
Alumina, bauxite, bananas, sugar, rum.

LANGUAGE:
English is spoken everywhere, and a local patois used by most of the population.

RELIGIONS:
Protestant 61.3 percent; Roman Catholic 4 percent; other religions 34.7 percent.

AIRPORTS:
Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) is just 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) from Kingston’s primary resort area. Sangster International Airport (MBJ) is ideally positioned for visitors traveling to the city of Montego Bay (3 miles/4.8 kilometers), and the towns of Negril (52 miles/84 kilometers) and Ocho Rios (67 miles/108 kilometers).

AIR SERVICE TO JAMAICA:
Major carriers serving the island from the Americas include:

» Air Canada
» Air Jamaica
» American Airlines
» Continental Airlines
» Copa Airlines
» Delta Air Lines
» Northwest Airlines
» US Airways

Many charter companies also operate flights between the Americas and Jamaica.

PORTS + HARBORS:
Ports and harbors are located at Discovery Bay, Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, Port Esquivel (Longswharf), Port Kaiser and Bowden.

Cruise ship ports are Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio and Kingston.

Cruise ship lines calling at Jamaica include:

» Carnival Cruise Line
» Celebrity Cruises
» Costa Cruise Lines
» Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
» Holland America Line
» Norwegian Cruise Line
» Princess Cruises
» Pullmantur (Premier)
» Radisson Seven Seas Cruises
» Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
» Royal Olympic Cruises

GETTING AROUND JAMAICA:
- By road: All taxicabs have red license plates. Rates between locations are pre-determined. Limousines and air-conditioned coaches are available, and local bus service operates between villages, towns and cities.

Several reputable car rental companies operate in Jamaica. Drivers should note that driving is on the left side of the road; the speed limit is 30 MPH (50 km) in the towns and 50 MPH (80 km) on highways; service stations are open every day – cash payments and major credit cards are accepted. Rental-car drivers must be at least 25 years of age and present a valid license; to meet insurance regulations, drivers are required to post a bond with cash, major credit card or travelers check.

- By air: Scheduled air service between Kingston, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios is offered daily by Air Jamaica Express (800-523-5585 or 876-922-4661).

Information from Jamaica Tourist Board

www.visitjamaica.uk.com

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Travel Weekly... Travel weekly recognizes best of the travel industry

NEW YORK – Travel Weekly, the national newspaper of the travel industry, honored the winners of its fifth annual Readers Choice Awards at a gala dinner and ceremony here last night.

Winners were announced in 51 categories. The black-tie event was held at The Pierre hotel in New York.

The award recipients, representing the “best of the best of the travel industry,” were chosen by the readers of Travel Weekly. These distinctive and widely recognized awards are presented annually to the industry’s suppliers who led the way in product and service during the past year. The open ballot phase of the voting was conducted in the summer. Readers were invited to write in the names of any company they believed best exemplified that particular category. The leading vote-recipients were identified as finalists, and voting on finalists took place through Nov. 2, 2007. 

 “This is the industry insiders’ award,” said Arnie Weissmann, Vice President and Editor in Chief. “Travel Weekly’s readership understands what it takes to ‘wow’ a traveler. Not only are the travel professionals who vote avid travelers themselves, but they also hear first-hand the unvarnished truth – the compliments and complaints – from thousands of American consumers.”

“To be voted a winner in any category is confirmation that you’ve won the hearts of American travel agents and their customers.”

Travel Weekly also honored four recipients of its Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is given to an individual whose efforts have led to extraordinary results within an organization and who has also made significant contributions to the industry as a whole. The legacy of the recipients of the Travel Weekly Lifetime Achievement Awards collectively defines the environment that the travel industry operates in today. This year’s winners are the following:

» Donna Flora, Vice President, Travel Industry Relations, American Express
» Brian J. Kennedy, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales, The Hertz Corporation
» Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Carlson
» John Noel, Chief Executive Officer, AIG Travel Guard

Following is a list of this year’s Readers Choice winners:

» Airline

• Domestic – Southwest Airlines
• International – American Airlines

» Car Rental

• Domestic - Hertz
• International - Hertz

» Hotel

• Chain, Domestic – Marriott International, Inc.

• Chain: Asia – Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
• Chain: Caribbean – Sandals Resorts
• Chain: Europe – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
• Chain: Mexico – Palace Resorts
• Chain: South Pacific – Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
• Chain: All-Inclusive – Sandals Resorts
• Chain: Luxury – Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts
• Chain: Upscale – Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
• Chain: Mid-Level – Marriott Hotels & Resorts
• Chain: Economy – Hampton Inn
• Chain: Sales & Service – Marriott International, Inc.
• Top Resort Worldwide – Atlantis

» Tour Operator

• Domestic – Travel Impressions
• International – Trafalgar Tours
• Africa – Abercrombie & Kent
• Asia/Pacific – Globus
• Canada – Tauck World Discovery
• Caribbean – Apple Vacations
• Europe – Globus
• Hawaii – Pleasant Holidays
• Mexico – Apple Vacations
• Luxury – Abercrombie & Kent
• Sales & Service – Travel Impressions

» Cruise Line

• Domestic – Carnival Cruise Lines
• Alaska – Princess Cruises
• Caribbean – Royal Caribbean International
• Europe – Holland America Line
• Luxury – Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Riverboats – Viking River Cruises

• Sales & Service – Carnival Cruise Lines

• Overall – Royal Caribbean International

» Cruise Ship

• Rookie of the Year (Must have had its first scheduled sailing from July 1, 2005, through July 1, 2006) – Liberty of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International
• Luxury – Queen Mary 2, Cunard Line
• Overall Individual – Carnival Spirit, Carnival Cruise Lines

» Destination

• Asia/Pacific Country – Australia
• Asia/Pacific City – Sydney
• Canada – Vancouver
• Caribbean – Jamaica
• Central/South America – Costa Rica
• European Country – Italy
• European City – Rome
• Hawaii – Maui
• Mexico – Riviera Maya
• U.S. State – Hawaii
• U.S. City – Las Vegas

» Theme Park

• Walt Disney World

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Arnie Weissmann, VP, Editor in Chief
Phone: 201-902-1954
E-mail: aweissmann@travelweekly.com

www.travelweekly.com

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por Paola Bravo

Baby boom!!... Nacimiento de María.

Galería de este evento

Este Delphineando toca protagonizarlo a María, la bebé de Gustavo Serna, Subgerente de Ventas de Olympus en Riviera Maya y Susana Ríos. Esta pequeña nació el 8 de Diciembre a las 0:00 hrs en Playa del Carmen en el Hospital SACBE. Pesó 3.100 kg y midió 50 cm. El "valiente" papá no entró al parto porque le dio miedito (le decimos valiente porque lo reconoce.)

Bien dicen que todo bebé trae torta y María no podía ser la excepción ya que con su llegada sus papis estrenaron departamento, la pobre María casi se queda sin tener dónde vivir debido a que la entrega del depa fue todo un rollo, pero finalmente cuando María llegó a casa ya estaba todo listo para su bienvenida.

Fue una bebé tan esperada por todos que la familia entera de Gustavo y Susana viajaron desde Torreón. La suegra del feliz papá "desafortunadamente" ya se fue, pero aún está su mamá ayudándolos en lo que se les pueda ofrecer.

Es una bebé muy sonriente pero algo latosa por las noches, ya que aún no deja dormir a sus papás.

Galería de este evento

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